The Josep Carreras Foundation and Sant Joan de Déu Create a Childhood Leukemia Research Program Worth Over 10 Million Euros

The Josep Carreras Foundation (FJC), the Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute (IJC), and the Sant Joan de Déu Research Institute (IRSJD) have agreed to develop a joint research program on childhood leukemia valued at over 10 million euros. The FJC will fund the adaptation of spaces provided by the IRSJD and the purchase of equipment. It will also finance the creation of four IJC research teams that will be located in these facilities.

With this initiative, the IJC will launch its sixth campus, joining those already established at Clínic-UB, Sant Pau-UAB, ICO-Germans Trias i Pujol, Mar-IMIM, and Josep Trueta - Idibgi.

Sant Joan de Déu, through its SJD Pediatric Cancer Center Barcelona (PCCB) and thanks to a significant legacy from Carlos Parrera Casanovas for pediatric cancer research, will contribute by funding four additional research teams, providing 300 square meters for laboratories, and granting access to all its clinical activities.

Pediatric leukemias are the most common cancer in children. While 80% of patients achieve remission, some suffer long-term effects. The remaining 20% do not survive, making research crucial. Treating relapses requires more personalized and advanced therapies, which still need significant resources to be effective. Current research focuses on understanding the molecular mechanisms behind resistance to conventional therapies to better treat relapsed patients.

Due to its relatively low incidence, charitable organizations must concentrate their efforts on discovering the disease's origins, improving treatments, and ensuring survival free of side effects.

According to Dr. Pablo Menéndez, scientific coordinator of the program, "this alliance will enable the development of common strategies, joint institutional programs, and shared initiatives to foster collaboration among basic, translational, and clinical researchers, covering all phases of research from lab work to patient application."

The agreement aims to promote collaborative research and training among professionals. It will also facilitate access to scientific platforms and the joint development of new ones.

The Josep Carreras Foundation commits to fully funding the adaptation of research spaces at the SJD Pediatric Cancer Center Barcelona and acquiring essential scientific and technical equipment.

With this agreement, the Josep Carreras Leukemia Research Institute will establish a new campus at Sant Joan de Déu and join the strategic pediatric research, technology, and innovation network known as "PReTI Alliance" (Paediatric Research Technology and Innovation Alliance), led by the IRSJD.

The agreement was signed by Josep Carreras, president of the Josep Carreras Foundation and the Leukemia Research Institute; Joan Comella, director of the Sant Joan de Déu Research Institute; and Manel del Castillo, managing director of the Sant Joan de Déu Barcelona Hospital.

According to Josep Carreras, "this alliance will boost the important scientific research being carried out by the three institutions. We continue to make progress every day in leukemia research, and this collaboration helps us combine efforts in developing clinical, translational, and basic research projects."

Joan Comella added, "this new research campus, integrated within the SJD Pediatric Cancer Center Barcelona and linked to our PReTI alliance plan, strengthens our strategic commitment to building a network of knowledge, technologies, and talent in support of excellent pediatric research. At the Sant Joan de Déu Research Institute, we are proud to be part of this alliance between two major research institutes to jointly fight leukemia and positively impact children's health."

Pediatric Hematopoietic Tumors

Each year, 1,200 new cases of pediatric cancer are diagnosed in Spain.

Projections for 2025 estimate 445 new cases of childhood hematologic neoplasms in Spain (287 childhood leukemias and 158 childhood lymphomas), according to the Spanish Cancer Registry Network and the Spanish Society of Hematology.

Leukemia involves the uncontrolled proliferation of abnormal blood cells. These cells infiltrate the bone marrow, hinder the production of normal cells, and invade the bloodstream and other organs.

Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) accounts for 80% of leukemias and is a cancer formed by immature lymphocytes, known as lymphoblasts. These cells prevent the growth of other blood cells. Lymphocytes are a type of white blood cell and can be either B or T cells. Depending on whether the lymphoblasts originate from B or T cells, the disease is classified as B-ALL or T-ALL.